By Emmanuella During

The African Urban Heat Summit aimed at addressing one of the pressing issues of our time:  “African urban heat summit and their disproportionate impact on African cities,” has been held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen, west end of Freetown on Thursday 6th, February, 2025 attracting city planners, climate scientists, urban policymakers, and community leaders. The event was hosted by the Freetown City Council.

As urban populations continue to swell, especially in the context of rapid urbanization and climate change, the summit provided a crucial platform for sharing knowledge, tools, and strategies for building more resilient urban environments.

The meeting started with discussions from the Mayor of the Freetown City Council (FCC) Madam Mayor Aki Sawyer and Kathy Baugman McLeod, CEO of (CRA) Climate Resilience for All and other stakeholders stressing on the impact of extreme heat in Africa and the urban heat challenges and implications.

In his keynote address, the Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh outlined climate change and its impact on Sierra Leone, with a call to action for local councils to manage waste.

He emphasized the importance of addressing climate change, citing its global impact.

“The government aims to involve local communities in waste management efforts, prioritizing sustainable practices,” he added.

To address regional security threats in Sierra Leone, Vice President Jalloh emphasized the effect of climate change impacts in Africa, with a call for actionable solutions, noting that the government has already outlined climate change resilience measures in urban areas including but not limited to nature-based solutions for urban challenges, including tree planting and sustainable energy systems and green infrastructure.

He applauded the Mayor in appreciation for launching the first ever urban heat action project which importance he stressed cannot be overemphasized. he also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Fr.

Eugenia Kargbo, Chief Heat Officer, FCC for outlining rising temperatures, humidity, and wind speed in Freetown.

“Communities with less green spaces experience more extreme temperatures in Freetown,” he said, adding that temperature continues to increase over time, exacerbated by declining wind speed and humidity levels.

Addressing climate change impacts in a city through a comprehensive plan,

The Mayor stated that Freetown City Council has designed a plan to address the heat effects, which affects vulnerable populations such as the elderly, women, and outdoor workers.

The plan includes nature-based solutions, community engagement, and equity and inclusion to ensure a sustainable and replicable approach, challenges and solutions for heat mitigation in Freetown. She said residents in Freetown face heat-related challenges, including lack of awareness and funding.

Throughout the summit, experts highlighted several critical issues related to urban heat.

The frank discussions emphasized the need for contextual solutions tailored to specific geographic and socio-economic conditions of African cities. For instance, while some regions might benefit from green roofs and urban forestry, others may require adjustments to building materials and urban design to mitigate heat.

Participants advocated for comprehensive data collection and monitoring systems to assess temperature variations across urban landscapes. Innovative technologies, such as remote sensing and mobile applications, were showcased as tools that can help track heat patterns and inform policy decisions.

An overarching theme was the importance of involving local communities in the planning processes for heat mitigation strategies, empowering residents to engage in tree planting initiatives, not only to help cool neighborhoods but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their local environments.

The summit also underscored the critical needs for policies that integrate heat management with broader urban planning efforts. Collaborative approaches among local governments, NGOs, and the private sector can help create cohesive strategies that address multiple urban challenges concurrently, such as housing, transportation, and public health. Several cities shared innovative initiatives that have yielded positive results in mitigating urban heat. The initiative focuses on increasing urban greenery through community-led planting projects. It has successfully shaded neighborhoods, improved air quality, and increased community engagement.

In response to increasing temperatures, Freetown City Council has initiated a comprehensive urban cooling policy that includes incentives for energy.

The summit ended with a call to action for increased collaboration across sectors. Participants recognized that addressing the African urban heat crisis requires a multi-disciplinary approach, bringing together health professionals, urban planners, environmentalists, and local government officials.

As cities across Africa continue to evolve in response to climate change challenges, forums like the African Urban Heat Summit play a vital role in building collective knowledge and fostering innovative solutions. With the momentum generated during this inaugural summit, participants are optimistic about creating a comprehensive network of cities committed to reducing the urban heat burden and enhancing overall urban resilience. As African cities prepare for a hotter future, the insights gleaned from the African Urban Heat Summit provide a roadmap for action. By prioritizing evidence-based strategies, community involvement, and collaborative policy-making, African cities cannot only mitigate the impacts of urban heat but also pave the way for sustainable development that prioritizes the health and well-being of all citizens. The onus now lies with policymakers, practitioners, and communities to take decisive action towards fostering climate resilience in the urban landscape.